Labuan Bajo, 22 August – The International Community Development Program (ICDP) 2024 landed in Labuan Bajo from 13-22 August 2024 with a focus on providing participants with an opportunity to work with several Small-Medium-Enterprises (SMEs) and came up with innovative sustainable solutions. 

As the signature program of BINUS University, this year we are partnering with the eLBajo Commodus Polytechnic, which has more than 20 students, including those from the University of New South Wales and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Together with the students from the eLBajo Commodus Polytechnic, they will be able to understand the intricacies of culture and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that focus on enhancing the welfare of SMEs while igniting impact in society. 

(Photo Credit: Hamzah Ramadhan & Photo Editor: Mufti Warits)

“This year, ICDP, which was held in Labuan Bajo, will not only provide the students with the opportunity to explore their innovations in developing the SME sector by integrating the theme of SDGs. This innovation is expected to be adopted by them so that it not only improves the quality of their business but also has a meaningful impact on the economic growth of the surrounding community,” said Debby Sonita Lubis, S.Psi., M.Soc.Sc., as Project Lead and Internationalization Office Associate Manager at BINUS University. 

One enjoyable visit occurred when the group met Tante (Aunt in English) Wati Ontong, the owner of Forlavivian. The brand has focused on distributing traditional tenun for nearly a decade. Tante Wati recognized local artisans’ struggles in selling their products due to a need for knowledge about craftsmanship. 

Tante Wati took it upon herself to buy and promote these fabrics through her network, with a mission to educate people about the artistry behind each piece. It takes nearly a month to create a single piece of tenun! Each design is unique to the artisan’s location. For instance, some artisans use natural items like leaves to create distinct colors, and the patterns tell different stories influenced by the culture. 

(Photo Credit: Hamzah Ramadhan & Photo Editor: Mufti Warits)

During the program, the Office of Administration of West Manggarai emphasized that Labuan Bajo must rely on something other than tourism. They mentioned that other areas should also be developed to generate regional interest. Tante Wati Ontong is an example, showcasing that Labuan Bajo can potentially increase the region’s welfare. 

“We are grateful for the positive ideas given because they have the potential to be realized. This is a collaboration of all stakeholders,” adds the Head of the Creative Economy Development Division of the Tourism and Creative Economy Office – part of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy in West Manggarai, Yosef Edward Nairum Nahas (Teddy Nahas). 

(Photo Credit: Hamzah Ramadhan & Photo Editor: Mufti Warits)

The program initiated a storytelling solution to help Rejeleleng, an SME that sells coffee mixed with moringa leaf. This unique blend has many health benefits. Despite their outstanding efforts to promote the product, many of their customers needed help understanding the production process, which led to hesitation in purchasing it. The team came up with the idea of a storytelling workshop to encourage the SME to increase the visibility of the production, help emphasize the quality of the product, and eventually convince them to purchase it! 

Interesting, right?  

“We hope that this collaboration will establish a closer relationship between the two institutions and encourage the creation of new innovations that benefit the wider community. We look forward to the continuation of the established cooperation, which we believe will have a positive impact on all parties involved.,” said the Director of the eLBajo Commodus Polytechnic, Prof. Dr. I Nengah Dasi Astawa, M.Si.